The aircraft was carrying ten passengers and two crew members – a captain and a co-pilot. The aircraft involved was a Metro Liner leased from Flightline BCN in Spain.

The aircraft left Belfast City Airport at 07:50am this morning and was due to land in Cork at 09:00am.

Due to weather conditions at Cork Airport the aircraft tried to land twice, and the incident took place on its third approach.

We are working with all relevant authorities to establish what happened.

We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.

The air investigation will be across three jurisdictions involving teams from Ireland, the UK and Spain. The Spanish authorities have been informed as the plane was registered in Spain.

Manx2’s website is currently down. Manx2’s helpline 0044 289 042 7004

A number for Airport information has also been set up 021 4428820

More information as this develops.

*Update 16:10*

The Taoiseach will this afternoon travel to Cork Airport and Cork University Hospital to meet with those involved in the response to this morning’s air tragedy. He will be briefed by the relevant authorities at Cork Airport and Cork University Hospital and will be available to brief the media between 4.30pm and 5.00pm at Cork Airport.